Caring for Stories: Increasing Reader Engagement in School Libraries

Librarians, teachers, authors, video game designers, corporate executives, in fact all providers of information struggle with the dilemma of how to get consumers of information engaged with their message. School librarians know that engaged students learn more and retain the information longer; authors and game designers want their readers and players to become immersed in the worlds they have created so that their stories feel vivid and real; and corporations need customers to recognize their brands and use their products and services. One of the most powerful ways to engage consumers is to develop their sense of care for information content. In this article, the author discusses the concept of care and the power of story. He suggests that teachers and school and public librarians must find ways to showcase interesting story characters in vivid detail, with an emphasis on their idiosyncrasies and, if possible, the humor of their experiences.